A Couple of Patriotic Finishes and a Very Bare Tree

 

Greetings Friends,

 

 I hope this finds everyone well and finding time to stitch.  I have been busy finishing the school year but have found some time to stitch and finish a couple of patriotic designs.  I love stitching for the 4th of July.  I found the wire tree pictured below at a lawn and garden show a couple of weeks ago.  I knew it had to come home with me.  It looks a little bare but I have a few more patriotic designs to finish that will hang proudly on the branches.  I also found some cute patriotic ornaments at Hobby Lobby to help fill in the empty spaces.

 

 

 

I've also been keeping up with my Santa's Village.  I love the piece but am a bit tired of stitching houses.  I'm motivated to keep up with it so hopefully I'll be able to stay on track.

I hope your summer is shaping up to be a good one.  In a few weeks I'm off on a shop hop with a dear friend who will be visiting.  We plan to hit several shops around the Chicago area.  Look out, here we come.  I don't have any other plans this summer besides stitching and getting this house in order.

Thank you for stopping by and your sweet comments.  I love hearing from you and thank you for spending a small slice of your day with me.

Keep on stitchin',
Nan

 

Greetings Friends,

 

It's official...as of 4:00 p.m. this afternoon I am on Spring Break.  It is supposed to snow Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.  Although I have nothing major planned, I am thoroughly over the cold, snow and wind.  I'm ready to stick my toes in the sand and feel the sun on my face.  I guess the wintry weather will give me an excuse to stay in and stitch.

 

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I didn't realize until I logged in to write this post that I haven't posted in 2013.  Wow!  Where does the time go? 

 I've been quite busy stitching. 

 

Take a look at this monster...
 

I started this deer piece about ten years ago for my husband.  I quickly grew tired of the confetti stitching and put it down.  Over the course of the last 10 years my hubby would make a reference to it on occasion.  He was extremely surprised when it made it's debut on our anniversary this week.  I love the barn wood frame.  He says he's not sure what he is going to give me a hard time about now that I have completed the deer piece for him.

 

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For some reason, I have been drawn to big pieces lately. 

For years I've only stitched small pieces. 

Now I'm starting pieces like the Shores of Hawk Run Hollow.

 

 

 I am also keeping up with Santa's Village.

 

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My friend Karen and I do seasonal exchanges

throughout the year.

 

For Valentine's Day she sent this lovely package. 
The heart is so tiny.  She stitched it over 1. 

 



Here is a pic of the stitched piece I sent her. 

I forgot to take a pic of the goodies I sent.

 



 

I've also been working on the Spanish Flair piece. 

I forgot to take a pic for this post so maybe next time I'll update you on my progress.

 

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Having grown up in an Indiana University household and being a graduate of IU, I am totally excited about the NCAA tournament this year.  I'm sure I'll be glued to the t.v. until the end.  GO IU!

 

 

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I hope Spring is shaping up in your part of paradise more quickly than it is in Indiana.  As I sit here, still grumbling about the weather, I think the groundhog owes us an explanation. 

:-)

 

 

Thank you for stopping by to share a bit of your day with me.  I love hearing from you!

 

Keep on stitchin'

Nan

Lots of Spring Up in Here.......

Hello Friends,

Thank you for your kind words on my trip to Arizona.  It was great to get away.  After a week of back to reality, I'm ready to hop back on the plane. 

It has been a busy Spring around here.  I've been busy stitching for several exchanges.  The exchanges have all arrived at their destination so I can now show you all the goodies.

 

Michele and I did a St. Patrick's Day exchange.

Michele sent a great pot 'o gold.

Here is the stitched pieced I sent Michele.

I forgot to take a picture of the goodies I sent along.

Thanks for a great exchange Michele.  I feel like a very lucky girl ;-)

Next up is my traditional Easter exchange with Karen. 
Look at the bunnelicious goodies "Easter Bunny Karen" sent.

 The Easter basket was full of goodies but I dismantled it before I took a picture.

The chocolate was calling to me...

Here is the piece I stitched for Karen. 
I forgot to take a picture of the goodies I sent.

Miss Lapin

The last exchange I have to show you is the friend's

a small group does every year.

Michelle (no blog) is the person I send to.

Here is the stitched piece I sent to her.

I forgot to take a picture of the goodies I sent with the exchange.
(Are you noticing a pattern here?)

For this exchange Edgar sends to me.

He sent a great stitched piece finished on this gorgeous box.

And all the goodies.

Thank you for a great exchange Edgar.  I'm looking forward to a great year.

I've been stitching quite a bit.  I'm back to working on some bigger pieces.  Currently, I'm working on Prairie Schooler's Sweeping Cobwebs.  I hope to have it finished and off to the framer soon.  While in Arizona I started Ann Lockart and Blackbird Design's Tis the Season.

I'm enjoying them all and have a hard time deciding which one to work on when it comes stitchin' time.

Thank you for stopping by and your sweet comments.  I appreciate them so much.

Have a great week!

Keep on stitchin'

Nan

Valentine's Day

Happy Long Weekend to Me.....and hopefully you! 

I think this is the first time in years that I've actually had the opportunity to celebrate President's Day at home instead of school.  We've had a very mild winter and so far no snow days.  My plan for the long weekend includes many hours of stitching. 

I have been a busy girl since my last post and have lots to share with you so,

on to Valentine's Day!

My friend Karen and I decided we would do an "unfinished" Valentine's Day exchange. 

Karen knows how to spoil a girl when it comes to exchanges. 

Here is the exchange Karen sent.  Harley had to check out what his Aunt Karen sent.

Fabric, Candy, Scissors, Pincushion, Ribbon, Needle minder and much more!

Here are the Valentine's Day pieces Karen stitched for me.

Cutie, cute, cute!

Here is how I finished them.

Look at this super cute Valentine pincushion.

Love It!

 

Here is the exchange I sent Karen.

Here is the stitched piece I made for her.

 Love Always

Homespun Elegance

And here is how she finished it.

Thanks for a great exchange! 

I loved stitching for you and I love everything you sent. 

I haven't done much seasonal stitching this winter but I

did manage to finish one Valentine's Day piece. 

February Word Play
With Thy Needle and Thread

Stitched on Zweigart 40 ct. Autumn Blush

Recommended Fibers

 

LK Flora McSample 2011 Ornament

Wilchelt 28 ct. Milk Chocolate Linen

Recommended Fibers

And 3 little ornaments.  I fell in love with these ornaments the first time I saw them. 

I made a boo boo when trimming the fabric and thought I'd ruined all of them. 

I managed to salvage them, I think.  Considering my boo boo I think they turned out ok.

Time is flying and February will be over before we know it.  I think it is time to turn my attention to St. Patrick's Day now.  I don't have many stitched things for St. Patrick's Day so I hope to add a few this year.

Thank you for stopping by and your sweet comments. 

I love hearing from my stitching friends.  Have a great weekend!

Keep on stitchin'

Nan

Harvest Moon

Hello Friends,

I have been inspired by the Fall like weather and have

been stitching away on seasonal designs.

As my weekend draws to an end I have one more finish to share with you.

Harvest Moon

by: Threadwork Primitives

Tree of Life Fabrics ~ Double Dyed Cocoa

Victorian Motto Chenille ~ Pastel Gold

Suggested Fibers

I couldn't wait to stitch this cutie. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

I, like most of you have spent the day remembering and honoring the memory of 9/11. 

God Bless America,

Nan

Halloween Expressions

Hello Friends,

I'm sorry for the long absence, but any educator can tell you how packed the first few weeks of school can be.  I'm off to a great start at my new school.  The kids and teachers at the school are great!  It's hard to believe we've already got a month of school under our belt.

In between the long work hours I've been trying to fit in some stitching.

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays for stitching. 

Here is my first Halloween finish for the year.

Halloween Expressions

The Stitcherhood

Stitched on 40 Newcastle Linen

Days Gone By ~ Zweigart

GAST ~ Onyx

These little halloweenies stitched quickly and I love how they turned out.  They make me want to get the rest of my Halloween decorations out.  Do you think it is too early?

I'm not sure what has gotten into me lately but I seem to have found a love for bigger projects again.  I've started several bigger pieces recently so I'll be back soon to show progress on them.

Thank you for stopping by!  I apologize for my lack of visits to your blog.  I plan to spend the afternoon catching up on everything you've been doing the last few weeks.

Keep on stitchin' on,

Nan

4th of July Finishes

 Good Morning!

In my last post I promised to show my 4th of July finishes for the year.  Well...I didn't make it back on the 4th.  An impromptu cookout stole my attention that day.  We had a very relaxing day with friends and I hope that everyone had a safe, enjoyable weekend also.   God Bless America!

So.....
Better late than never.  Here are the 4th of July finishes for 2011.

4th of July Bird

Heart in Hand



My dear friend Karen and I did a private exchange.  Look at the beautiful box I received from her. 

She included lots of patriotic stuff in her package. 

Before I could get a picture it seemed to disappear into my working stash.

This is what I stitched for her...

 Old Glory

Chessie & Me

Happy Flag Flag Day

the Trilogy

Patriotic Melons

Stitchy Kitty

This piece gave me fits to finish.  My original plan was to turn it into a wall hanging.  I don't seem to have any bell pull hardware laying around so I tried a few things that didn't work out.  After a few hours of ripping seams and a few naughty words I ended up turning it into a pillow.  Said pillow does not make me happy.  I'm not sure what it is that I don't like about it but I'm pretty sure I will once again start the seam ripping and therefore, the naughty words will probably follow.  Maybe today while I'm out and about I'll pick up some dowel rods to serve as bell pull hardware. 

Last week I was meandering through Hobby Lobby, lost in my world of crafty "what ifs"

when I stumbled upon this shelf.  I have looked for a very long time for a shelf to sit on a bare wall in my kitchen.  When I saw this shelf I knew it had to come home with me.  It will now be my centerpiece for my holiday stitching.  It still has plenty of room for more 4th of July pieces so I'll have to get busy and fill it for next year.

I received a call yesterday that my Lizzie Kate 100 Years is framed and ready for pick up. 

I am anxiously awaiting 9:00 a.m. so I can pick it up.

Thank you for stopping by to share a part of your day.  I love hearing from you and find I renew my enthusiasm for stitching every time I have something to share with you. 

Thanks for keeping me motivated. 

Keep on stitchin' on,

Nan

A Random Thought, A Request....And Some Good News!

The plural of sheep is sheep....right?  Is there any other word in the English language where the plural is the same as the singular or am I just wrong and its actually sheeps?  LOL! 

The plural of goose is geese and foot is feet.

Oh wait.....the plural of deer is deer.  Are there others you can think of?

Ok enough of the random thoughts.....

I'm so sorry that I have been more or less absent from blog land.  I've tried to stop by and see what you are up to and leave a few comments but the last couple of weeks have been a busy whirlwind.

A couple of weeks ago I got a call for an interview for a Principal's position.  To make a long story short....(a two week long story)  I GOT THE JOB!  Next school year I will be principal at a great school in my current school district.  The school is a rural school close to my house.  I couldn't be more excited.  I have a feeling I'm in for a busy Summer.  First off I have to figure out what to do with all the stuff in my classroom. :-) Get settled into my new school.  Find time to golf and play tennis and of course stitch.  I'm not asking for much, am I?

Now for the important stuff....The reason my mind is stuck on sheep. 

I stitched Sophie's Sheep for a dear friend who works with students in my classroom.  She has been an absolute life saver the past couple of years and I won't know what to do without her next year.  Her birthday is coming up in May and she recently remodeled her kitchen and her accents are sheep. 

Sophie's Sheep

Plum Street Samplers

32 ct. Zweigart Lugana

Recommended Threads

Here is a quick little stitch I whipped up in the hustle and bustle of the past couple of weeks. 

A Spring Day

Heart in Hand

32 ct. Zweigart Lugana ~Choc. Vanilla Swirl

Now for the request.....

I've got the cutest little wooded box that needs a design. 

It is made from beautiful cherry wood (I think).

Anyway, I was thinking about a nice quaker-ish design but I can't find what I'm looking for.  Since my stitching friends have always come through for me I'm asking for recommendations for a design.  It needs to be no bigger than 90X90.   If you've got an idea you can leave it in the comments section or email.

Thanks for your help!

Thank you for stopping by and leaving such sweet comments.

I hope to be back soon with more stitching soon.

Have a great week and always....

Keep on stitchin' on,

Nan

The Votes are IN....And It Is Finished!

And the winner is.............. The Tree Fabric!

I think it was unanimous! 

Thank you for giving me feedback on the finish of my Lizzie Kate design.

I can now mark another one of my Crazy 2011 Challenge!  Whoop! Whoop!
 

I loved reading your suggestions and appreciate you taking time to help me.

I thought it was fun and hope you don't mind if I pick your brains again.

Happy Valentine's Day Tomorrow!

I hope to be back with another post on my one and only Valentine's Day finish for the year.

Keep on stitchin' on,

Nan

Just a Little Stitching Update

Hello Stitching Friends,
It seems like I've had so little to post about stitching lately. 
Two of my exchange pieces have reached their new homes so I'm excited to share them with you.

But first......

Let me share with you the lovely pieces I received for the Lizzie Kate & Seasonal Exchange.

Pirjo received my name for both exchanges.  How crazy is that? 

These pieces came all the way from Finland and they are just adorable.

Thanks for sending such great exchanges.

And...

Here are the two pieces I stitched and finished for exchanges.

Brrr..... ~Winter Crazy

Lizzie Kate

XOXO

Heart in Hand

The day of LOVE is quickly approaching.  I hope everyone has a happy Valentine's Day!

Thank you for stopping by.  I love hearing from you!

Keep on stitchin' on,

Nan

Love Is In The Air.....

Hello Stitching Friends,
I have decided that it is time to move on.....
Most of my stitching this month has focused on Snowmen and Winter themed designs.  It has occurred to me that I may be leading Mother Nature to believe that I actually enjoy snow.  So, I've decided to fool her into believing its time to move on by starting on some Valentine's Day stitching.

I found this lovely FREE pattern on primitivebettys blog.  She is so generous with her patterns and I've got a few more printed and on my to do list. 

The colors are a little off in this picture.  The writing and flowers in the fabric and fibers are a really pretty fuchsia color.

"Love Me"

primitivebettys

28 ct. white even weave

GAST Cherry Wine

This was my first attempt at this type of pillow finish.  I didn't leave enough even weave around the design so I had to improvise.  Although I will always know the flaws are there, they will disappear when I display this with my other Valentine's Day designs.

Now I'm debating on whether to put away my snowmen for the year, or......I could just keep stitching.

Thanks for stopping by.  Your visits and comments keep me motivated to do what I love.

I hope if you are in a snow covered area that you are warm and safe.  I think tomorrow I will venture out and do a little window shopping and some errands. 

Keep on stitchin' on,

Nan